Improved wash-board



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

B. F. GOTT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED WASH-BOARD.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 98,160, dated December 21, 1869.

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJ. F. GOTT, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful. Improvement in Wash -Boards, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement consists in the manufacture of wash-boards with two rubbing-surfaces of tinned plate instead of sheet-zinc, as heretofore made, by which I securevery important advantages and produce a much better and more useful implement for the purpose for which itis designed. I have the sheets of tin or tinned plates of iron made expressly for the purpose and of the exact dimensions required before tinning, so that in dipping the edges ofthe iron are tinned as heavily as the sides, and therefore there is nothing exposed to rust or corrode; or, if not so made, I have the edge or edges on which the iron is exposed by cutting or trimming tinned to prevent corrosion. I then crimp or corrugate it in the manner required before afixing itin theframe A, in which I insert two plates, as shown in the drawing, one of coarse and the other of liner corrugations, as shown at b c, to afford the user a choice of surface adapted to different fabrics. They are secured in the frame by means of grooves, which' receive the side or corrugated edges, the bottom or plain edges being protected by the cross-rod f.

The advantages of my improvement are as follows: Tin possesses a surface which is better adapted than zincor other metal to the rubbing of fabrics in washing Without injury to their texture. Zinc, when exposed to the action of water and air successively, gradually oxidizes, becoming porous and rough on the surface so as to be injurious to delicate fabrics as well as deteriorating in strength, while the surface, of tin is not affected by the atmosphere, water, or soap, but always remains bright and retains a uniformly smooth and good surface for the purpose. The tinned plate is stronger with less thickness than the zinc, and hence makes a lighter board, and is more durable, while it costs less to manufacture, being more easy to work, and looks better in consequence of the metal always presenting a bright and uniform surface,whereby it meets with a more ready sale in the trade and gives better satisfaction to those who use it. 1t does not require a stiffening-panel at the back. Thesuperior strength of the tinned plates enables me to construct my improved board and dispense with the usual panel for supporting the back of the rubbing-surfaces, thereby cheapening the cost, making a lighter board, and obviatin g the serious objections of the shrinking, swelling, warping, and splitting of said panel. The two corrugated plates of metal,lying back to back in the frame, sup port each other and enable the board to be made with no wood, except that of theframe, and to be lighter, stronger, and better than those heretofore constructed.

I claim- A wash-board formed with rubbing-surfaces of unequal corrugations when made of tinned plates without a supporting-panel, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

B. F. GOTT.. Witnesses:

KATE N. JONES, J. FRASER. 

